A CHARITY has hit back at claims that its chairman quietly pocketed more than quarter of a million pounds from the organisation.

Bolton Council of Mosques (BCoM) has paid £25,000 a year to lease a building owned by its chairman and his family for more than a decade.

Asif Patel has admitted that there is a conflict of interest relating to his ownership of the building which the charity has based its operations since 2008.

But he says this conflict has been managed appropriately and the building has been let at a discounted rate.

A spokesman for BCoM also described the rent payments as “fair and reasonable”.

He is registered as the proprietor of the building in Vicarage Street alongside his parents and his brother Salim who was convicted for drug-related offences in 2015.

But Mr Patel said that his brother, who was jailed for taking part in a plot to import £440,000 of cocaine, has nothing to do with the charity.

He said: “It is suggested that I have a conflict of interest because I am a part owner of a property rented by BCoM, whilst I am also the chair of trustees over these past three to four years.

“I agree there is a conflict of interest, but what is more relevant is the fact that this conflict is managed under the rules, and I have never once taken place in a trustee discussion over the payment of rent or the continued occupation of the building on lease.  If this issue arises, and it has only ever once arisen, I leave the room as any responsible trustee ought to, and the matter is discussed by the non-conflicted trustees in my absence.

“The public ought to also know, that the charity pays a discounted rent on the property, discounted by at least 40 per cent, and is able to recover some of the rent paid by letting the property out.

“My brother, who with me and others is a part owner of the property, has been punished following his conviction, and now lives (as he is entitled to do) as a law abiding citizen.

“He has nothing to do with the administration of the charity or the  building, and his historical conviction is of no relevance.  What is important is that the charity benefits significantly from being able to rent this property at a discount.”

The allegations came to light after a group – who insisted on remaining anonymous – contacted The Bolton News.

The group say they are made up “concerned Muslims” who said they “do not wish to cause community tension or chaos” but feel “hatred towards the Muslim community has increased in Bolton” because of the actions of a “handful” of people “at the heart of decision making at BCoM.”

Responding to the allegations, a spokesman for the charity said: “BCoM has been formed for over 20 years and has done a significant amount of work in the community which has been recognised nationally and we have been working alongside our partners on many community development issues.

“BCoM is an umbrella organisation which represents a number of mosques in Bolton and the members are fully aware that the property is connected to the chairman.

“As far as the rent is concerned, it is fair and reasonable and, in fact, because we have been allowed to sub-lease parts of the building, in many years we have been able to occupy the space at no cost.

“In fact, in some years, we have even managed to make some additional income whilst occupying at nil cost. We are very grateful to the chairman and his family for giving us the building at below market value.

“As far as the accounts are concerned, they are on public record, including up to date records.

“BCoM is an open and transparent organisation and will continue to remain open and transparent.

“We will continue to serve the community of Bolton as we have been doing for many years both strategically and at grass roots level.”

The news comes after it was revealed that faith groups across Bolton have benefitted from more than £4m in council grants over the last decade.

Bolton Hindu Forum (BHF), Bolton Christian Community Cohesion (BCCC) and Bolton Council of Mosques (BCoM), and Bolton Interfaith Council received £2.1m between 2005 and 2013.

More than half of this cash was given to BCoM.

Christian charities received £2.5m, including £1.4m for Urban Outreach and £702,859 for the YMCA.

Bolton Christian Community Cohesion received £377,872. Zac’s received £20,000.

But the way that Bolton Council awards grants to faith groups and the voluntary sector has now changed.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Bolton Council previously provided a core funding grant to BCoM to support the work it does in the community.

“Council support for the charity sector is now managed via Bolton’s Fund, a pooled budget which brings together grant funding from all of Bolton’s anchor institutions.

“The fund is independently managed by Bolton CVS. Bids are assessed by a panel of independent volunteers and subject to rigorous scrutiny.

“This is a fully transparent process which ensures public funds are spent on projects that have a positive impact for Bolton residents and deliver value for money.

“Allegations about any charity’s accounting or conflicts of financial interest would be a matter for its internal governance and The Charity Commission.”

The Charity Commission is not currently investigating BCoM, but a spokesman said it would assess the information shared to determine whether there are any regulatory concerns that need to be addressed.

BCoM represents 28 mosques in Bolton and exists to advocate, advise and practically support the Islamic community.